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Castelrotto: A late afternoon hike in Dolomites?

Hi y’all:
Are you familiar with hikes in and around Castelrotto? I’m only staying a 2 nights, so when I arrive on Sunday at 3pm, I am hoping to squeeze in an easy-moderate hike, starting by 4pm. I see it doesn’t get dark until 8:45, but the Marinzen chairlift closes at 5:30.

I’m thinking maybe one way up the chair lift, and then walking back down? Or up the chairlift, over to see the goats at Schafstsall hut, and then walk back down? Or perhaps another trail that doesn’t require the lift? No more than 2 1/2 -3 hours total, so I’ll have time to clean up a bit before dinner. Since I’ll be solo, I’m trying to prepare for what’s available and feel confident about where I’m venturing.

The Hotel Villa Kastelruth says they have a guided hike for Monday, so I hope to join that. But I’d love to hear your experiences on other trails, lifts in the area if that doesn’t happen.

I half-regret not choosing Ortisei with its two lift options from town. Perhaps that’s an easier base? Last year I fell in love with the meadows and landscape of the Dolomites on BOI, but didn’t explore much beyond the Panorama lift/easy loop and back to Seelaus with our group. I’m looking to explore more this summer.
Thanks for sharing your expertise! I greatly appreciate it :)

Posted by
2571 posts

The lifts in Ortesei close at either 5:30 or 6:00 also. I wish they stayed open later in the summer, to allow for dinner at a hut.

The Marinzen lift website indicates there is a trail that leads down to the base of the lift: https://www.marinzen.com/en/

Posted by
12 posts

When are you going? I am going in early June staying in CastleRotto for 3 nights and wondering some of the same things. It is my first time and you seem to know much more.

Kirk

Posted by
11799 posts

Many years ago we hiked from Völs am Schlern (aka Fie allo Sciliar) to Prösels Castle. Great views but no lifts, not a ton of elevation. From the castle we walked down a half-mile or so to the main road and caught a bus back. So bus to Völs, hike to castle, bus back to Castelrotto.

Castle info and brief outline of hike here https://schloss-proesels.seiseralm.it/en/castle/hiking-tips.html

Hike here in Outdoor Active https://www.outdooractive.com/mobile/en/route/hiking-route/alpe-di-siusi/from-voels-to-proesels-castle/29485838/

Hiking down from the Alpe di Siusi is not on the agenda for these old hips and knees. Be aware the descent can be hard of you choose to do that.

Posted by
176 posts

Thanks for your replies, everyone. I appreciate your suggestion, Laurel. I’ll look into that trip, depending on Sunday bus schedule. I like the sound of the castle along with the hike!

Travel 4 fun: That’s good to know about the trail. If I’m running later or just have less energy, I may only make it that far!

Rogerslegal: That’s great you’re going too! I’ll be there later in June. I’ve found some trail maps online, and they indicate difficulty level. There’s a few suggestions on various seiser alm websites, and a few blogs that describe some hiking routes. I think there was a scrapbook where someone shared their path… to walk over to a church (St. Valentine?) not far from Castelrotto/Marinzen. And within the village, there’s a walk up on a hill that takes you around a “stations of the cross” installation. I read about it in Rick’s guidebook :)

Posted by
176 posts

Update: With your replies, I was inspired to see a bit more of this area. I exchanged my train tickets to arrive earlier in Castelrotto. I think arriving by 1pm will open up a few other opportunities before the lifts close.
Another point for the early bird LOL.

Posted by
96 posts

Shawn,

I was on the RS My way alpine tour last June, and we stayed in Castelrotto arriving to our hotel (Hotel Cavallino D'Oro right on the main square) around 4pm. Everything in town was already pretty quiet for the afternoon so we immediately made the short walk up the hill and did the RS Calvario Stroll circling around the mountain. Tons of amazing vantage point views over town with the Dolomites in the background. Then we headed out of town towards the mountains and did the walk to St.Valentin church. It was about 1.5hr round trip walking thru fields, meadows and the last part was right thru a farm yard. We had amazing late afternoon weather and the pictures of the historic church with the towering Dolomites behind was shear beauty. It was near sunset by the time we made it back and we stopped off for a great dinner at Liftstuberl. We actually enjoyed this restaurant so much we returned the next night too!

For our full day in the Dolomites we made our way up to the Alpe di Siusi for a couple different day hikes. Unfortunately the weather turned on us this day, so our views weren’t as great as what we were hoping. But just an excuse to return again in the future! Here’s my notes of what we did:

bus #3/3A/172 to Seis/Siusi cable car (free)
Seiser Alm Bahn gondola from Seis/Siusi to Compatsch (20E RT, 8am-6pm)
Hans and Paula Steger Trail #30, Compatsch to Saltria (~1.5hr one way). Return to compatsch via shuttle bus #11 (2.50E)
Trail of the Witches. Telemix Puflatsch lift from Compatsch to Puflatsch (7E 1-way). Puflatsch loop counterclockwise (~3hr). Downhill back to Compatsch
Return via gondola and bus #3/3A/172 back to castelrotto (free)

An amazing dinner at Liftstuberl again!

Posted by
176 posts

GallieGirlie,
thanks so much for sharing these ideas for hikes. It’s helpful to know the timing as well. I’m going to look over these this weekend and pencil in some options. Hopefully Mother Nature allows for a nice day out.
I’m hoping to take full advantage of this amazing area and soak it all up!
Thanks again :)